Blade height control system for a motorized grader
AssigneeHUSCO International, Inc.
InventorsDennis R. Barber, Patrick T Mullins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The position of the blade of a motor grader is controlled to maintain a smoothly graded surface even when the grader's front wheels travel over undulating ungraded ground. This is accomplished by sensing the degree to which the grader frame pivots with respect to the rear wheels and employing the pivot angle to derive the resultant change in blade position. That change is used to operate a mechanism that produces movement of the blade relative to the earth thereby compensating for effects of the pivoting action.
Claims16
An apparatus for controlling position of a blade of a machine that produces a graded surface of earth, wherein the machine has a frame on which the blade is mounted, and front wheels and rear wheels mounted to the frame, said apparatus comprising:
- first sensor which detects an amount of movement of the frame with respect to one of the rear wheels and the front wheels that results from the respective wheels traveling over the earth, and the first sensor produces an electrical signal indicating that amount of movement;
- an electronic controller connected to the first sensor and producing an electrical compensation signal in response to the amount of movement indicated by the electrical signal;
- and
- a mechanism which responds to the electrical compensation signal to control how deeply the blade enters the earth.
An apparatus for controlling position of a blade of a earth moving machine, having a frame to which the blade is mounted, front wheels connected to the frame, and rear wheels mounted on an arm that pivots vertically with respect to the frame, said apparatus comprising:
- a first sensor detecting an amount that the arm pivots with respect to the frame and producing an electrical signal indicating a vertical pivot angle;
- an electronic controller connected to the first sensor and deriving a change in blade position from the vertical pivot angle indicated by the electrical signal, and producing an electrical compensation signal in response to the change in blade position;
- and
- a mechanism which moves the blade in response to the electrical compensation signal to control how deeply the blade enters the earth.
An apparatus for controlling position of a blade of a earth moving machine, having a frame to which the blade is mounted, front wheels coupled to the frame, and rear wheels mounted on an arm that pivots vertically with respect to the frame, said apparatus comprising:
- a first sensor detecting an amount that the arm pivots with respect to the frame and producing an electrical signal that provides a pivot angle indication;
- a electronic controller connected to the first sensor and deriving a change in blade position from the pivot angle indication, and the electronic controller producing an electrical compensation signal in response to the change in blade position;
- and
- a mechanism which responds to the electrical compensation signal by moving the front wheel with respect to the frame to control how deeply the blade enters the earth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.